How He Can Get Sober Without Admitting He's An Alcoholic

How do I get him to admit he's an alcoholic? I hear this question often.The rationale behind it appears to be that if he just admits to being an alcoholic, he will stop drinking.

Unfortunately, getting someone to admit to being an alcoholic is difficult; ask any therapist. Even if they do admit to being an alcoholic, there is no guarantee they will change because of acknowledging the issue.

The good news is that there is no need for the drinker to confess to being an alcoholic to change the problem. Some years ago, psychologists Bill Miller and Steve Rollnick wrote a book titled Motivational Interviewing. In it, they suggest that the most powerful forcse for change are "motivational statements." For example, "drinking is causing me problems at work" or "it interferes with my home life."

These are clear statements about the specific problems that the alcohol is causing rather than a more general statement about whether or not someone has a full-fledged addiction. This is now a common approach used in alcohol treatment units throughout the world. Facebook Doesn't Ruin Relationships, People Do.

If you want your drinker to change, don't get drawn into an argument about whether the way he drinks qualifies him as an alcoholic or not. The problem is that there are many definitions of an alcoholic; few people agree on a common one. In fact, I often say that most drinkers' definition of an alcoholic is "someone else; not me."

The best way to get your drinker to change his drinking habits is to talk about the specific problems that his drinking is causing you or your family, not about if he is considered to be an alcoholic or not.

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Billie Holliday

Stephen King

The author dealt with alcoholism early in life and even delivered his mother's eulogy while intoxicated, according to reports. He has since kicked the habit and is one of the world's most respected writers.

Ewan McGregor

Robrt Downey Jr.

Since Hollywood loves a comeback, the actor has been the poster boy for overcoming addiction to alcohol and other substances. He is as famous for surviving his addictions as he his for his roles, which is a double-edged sword of sorts.